An effective
SKYWARN net usually follows some form of guide or outline. This is especially helpful in
making it through the rougher times that occasionally occur. Usually it is in these tough
times that your communications to the NWS have the utmost value.

Remember, SKYWARN is NOT a club. By putting aside any differences that do not support
the goals of SKYWARN, you'll find your SKYWARN net to be at its most effective level.

A great amount of the work is done by the amateur radio community in fulfilling the
goals of SKYWARN. The NWS appreciates your assistance. The Pittsburgh National Weather
Service office has over 2000 trained spotters in our 36 county warning area that covers
four states. We rely on you in assisting in goals number 2, 3 and 4.

HEAVY RAIN (0.75 INCHES OR GREATER IN 1 HOUR OR LESS OR 3 INCHES IN ANY TIME FRAME LESS
THAN 24 HOURS)

CONTINUOUS LIGHTNING FIRE/DAMAGE CAUSED BY LIGHTNING

ANY DEATH OR INJURY DUE TO ANY OF THE ABOVE

Remember to always give the three most important parts of a report

TIME - TIME OF OCCURRENCE

EVENT - HAIL, TORNADO, FUNNEL CLOUD, ETC.

LOCATION - COUNTY AND DIRECTION/DISTANCE FROM NEAREST TOWN

Often severe storms strike quickly and are isolated in our area. There will be times
when there is no radio operator at the NWS to make direct contacts to you. This is when
your main link to the NWS is via the 800 Severe Weather Hotline. One person, often the Net
Control Station, should be delegated to using the HOTLINE to relay severe weather reports.
This will avoid duplication and keep the 800 lines free. Whenever calling the Severe
Weather Hotline identify yourself as a SKYWARN member in Allegheny County.

The radio operator at the NWS can provide information on the current watch/warning
status for your county and a brief radar synopsis. It is up to the net control operator to
determine what level of net activation is required given certain circumstances. The degree
needed varies, but could be effectively arranged in a four-tier system.

When used: When a Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued, but no weather activity is
occurring in the area. Note the expiration time of the watch.

A net control station will then be established and take and log check-ins. Now is the
best time to establish where potential observers are located for the upcoming event, not
when the severe weather is hitting. The net control station will also relay watch
information frequently. Normal use of the repeater will continue, however, please leave a
pause between transmissions should net control need to break in to take the net to a
higher level.

As the storms approach your area, the net may need to be fully activated. There are
three levels of full activation.

When used: Used during ALL Tornado Watches and during Severe Thunderstorm Watches when
active weather is occurring.

Nets for Flood/Flash Flood Watches are normally not required. There may be exceptions
when the NWS would request additional spotter reports, ex. remnants of a tropical storm
moving through the area.

The first priority, during condition green, would be taking and relaying weather
reports to the NWS. Second would be check-ins. The Net Control Station takes control of
frequency and gives frequent updates on net status and weather watches. Prepare for
further upgrade as storms approach or if severe weather reports begin coming in.

When used: If a SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING and/or FLASH FLOOD WARNING has been issued
for your county.

Priority must be given to collecting and relaying weather reports, No check-ins or
checkouts at this time. Net Contol will announce warning information frequently. Only
reports meeting the criteria mentioned earlier should be requested. "It's not raining
here" reports are not needed, unless requested.

Net Control Station takes total control of frequency. Net Control requests tornado,
funnel cloud and wall cloud reports. If there are no tornadic reports, Net Contol requests
reports meeting the above criteria. Stations without one of the above reports should
maintain radio silence. Net control will relay Tornado Warning information frequently.

Condition RED events are rare. However, real emergency organization in these instances
is what will make the NWS, trained spotters and all licensed amateurs involved with ARES
fulfill their missions and shine.

Often, if one waits until a warning is issued, it is too late to organize spotters,
collect reports and relay them to the NWS in a timely manner.
Spotters are also requested to check-in/check-out in Stand-by and Condition Green. This
will help net control know where available spotters are before the storm moves through the
county.

More details concerning the changes will be available during the Allegheny County
Skywarn Nets on the first and third Wednesdays at 8:30 PM on the 147.09 repeater through
the winter and spring. I will keep you up-to-date with the pluses and minuses of the new
operations. Granted, what works well for one county might not for another. Many counties
conduct two-meter radio Skywarn nets. If a County EC/AEC would like to share information
in future newsletters on how they conduct their nets, let me know.

If you have any questions about the NWS SKYWARN program, don't hesitate to contact us.